That site was the subject of a meeting last month with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) representatives. They said levels of PCBs and other contaminants have been found on the property and adjacent areas. Some of that has been cleaned up with crews replacing soil around yards and alleyways.
A full video of the October meeting can be seen HERE.
Henryetta Iron and Metals occupies a three-acre site on West Main. For nearly 100 years it has taken in scrap metal, from oil and gas operations, automotive, appliances and electrical transformers. Those transformers are believed to be4 the source for the PCB contamination in the area.
Oklahoma DEQ started investigating the site in 2016 and has found elevated levels of heavy metals, PCBs and mercury.
“Sites like Henryetta Iron and Metal can leave a legacy of pollution that becomes a burden to the community,” said Regional Administrator Ken McQueen. “Proposing the site to the NPL is the first step to cleaning up the contamination for the benefit of the area’s families and natural resources.”
Before being added to the NPL, a site must meet the listing requirements and be proposed for addition to the list in the Federal Register, subject to a 60-day public comment period. The site will be added to the NPL if it continues to meet the listing requirements after the public comment period closes and the agency has responded to any comments.
Once cleaned up, the sites can be used for business and office space, warehouses and others.
Local residents are being urged to contact their elected officials both at the state and national levels to voice their concerns and urge inclusion of the Henryetta site to the Superfund list.
